In the comments on my last Q&A post, I had a series of questions about my methods of outlining a story. The truth is, I rarely use more than a series of notes. These are on everything from my research to ideas for chapter titles. I use Scrivener for novel writing, so I have a whole folder just for “stuff I think I need for writing this thing.” (No, it’s not actually called that.)
Sometimes, I do outline. It’s what I do when I’m either stalling (waiting for NaNoWriMo, since the rules are that you can’t have started before November 1) or I have no idea what the heck I’m doing. Here are my best responses to the questions.
How detailed of an outline do you use?
Not very. I usually have a bare-bones outline of the plot. I like Things to Happen (as opposed to endless internal drama). So I need to know at least a little bit of who has to meet up and when and what sorts of mischief ensues. But I don’t put much detail in it because it has a tendency to change as I write, and I find it’s a waste of my time to outline something instead of just writing it.
When in the writing process do you find it the most useful – in the creation of it or do you refer to it later?
It’s most useful at three points:
- When I’m just starting
- When I get stuck on a plot point and can’t find a way past it
- When a random plot bunny (i. e., a rabbit trail) pops into my head and I don’t want to spend time on it
Sometimes, all I do with a chapter outline when I get stuck is go, “Interesting stuff happens here” and leave it as a place holder.
Do you refer to it when you write out of sequence?
Truthfully? I rarely refer to the outline unless I’m in danger of getting too far off track. In my work-in-beta, I actually forgot to deal with a situation I set up near the beginning and never addressed later! I had to go back to my notes and see what was missing.
Does your writing tend to mostly follow your outline or have a mind of its own?
My writing generally follows the basic flow of the outline. But the mean-and-potatoes of it are as they come. Since the outline tends to be sparse, there’s no real need to feel tied to it. I get the best of both worlds—easy flow and allowing things to happen as they occur to me but with some idea where the whole thing is headed.
Feel free to ask me other questions here or on my Facebook page, or tweet at me. Stop by next week when I answer another round of questions!
